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I am looking for any info on either school. My biggest concern is the size difference. Is Stony Brook as confusing and large as it seems? Also I am going to be 26 at time of transfer, are either of these somewhat adult friendly? I want to live on campus to save a little money-will I be miserable? I don't look or act 26, so I am sure I will fit right in,LOL. Basically any info on the campus life at either would be helpful- I am doing the Bio program!

By Dcmom3 (Dcmom3) on Tuesday, June 08, 2004 - 09:58 am: Edit

Bio at SUNY Purchase? I thought it was mainly arts? We visited it--make sure you visit and evaluate.

By I1lmatics (I1lmatics) on Tuesday, June 08, 2004 - 10:03 am: Edit

if your doing the bio program go to stony brook hands down... it is the premiere science school of the suny system...i'm not to sure how campus life compares.. here is an excerpt from the princeton review

"Campus Life
Several factors conspire to make Stony Brook’s campus one of the nation’s least active socially. First, many students are deeply immersed in science and engineering and thus have little time for socializing. “Most people here,” explains one student, “think about chemistry. Once they’re done with that, they think about chemistry some more. Then they go home for the weekend.” Second, many undergrads commute to Stony Brook for classes only. The parking situation, it should be noted, does little to encourage commuters to stick around: it is “a major crisis for most commuter students” because so few spaces are available. Of those who reside on campus , many go home nearly every weekend. Third, “Port Jefferson and Stony Brook aren’t great college towns, although they’re getting better” as they add “shopping, entertainment, and many local bars and clubs with a young crowd.” As a result, many feel that “there is nothing to do for fun. On weekends this place is dead, a ghost campus until Monday morning.” A small but vocal minority protest that “some people feel that there is nothing to do on this campus because our campus is portrayed as a suitcase college . . . but by being part of a group or team, your life on campus is a lot more fun, with parties, mixers, etc.” With “Campus Recreation making small improvements every year,” perhaps Stony Brook is growing closer to a more typical undergraduate social environment. "


Academic wise Purchase kind of sucks...I have nothing on their social life but if you are going to choose it over stony brook it better have an arizona state type atmosphere

By Floppydee (Floppydee) on Tuesday, June 08, 2004 - 10:12 am: Edit

I chose Purchase because they have a Marine Bio track for there Bio program, and mainly because its close to home and I possibly could have commuted. Stony Brook was my first choice-but the large size of the campus freaked me out-and I heard the dorms weren't maintained well. I guess I just have to go visit both, and go with my gut. I know Stony is the place to go for any science program!

But I still am wondering is there any students over 25 out there???? I don't want to feel "out of place".

By Floppydee (Floppydee) on Tuesday, June 08, 2004 - 10:16 am: Edit

How was Purchase-DCMOM3?? Yes they do have science programs. They have alot of degrees that aren't common-like for the Bio they have a Marine Bio track (whch is hard to come by). Also I hear the Pyschology program is good with many tracks like Gender Studies, etc.

How was the environment? I appreciate it!

By Dcmom3 (Dcmom3) on Tuesday, June 08, 2004 - 11:03 am: Edit

We didn't tour the dorms but there was a dorm fire while we were there. It just seemed like a not very diverse campus so I don't know how a 26 year old who wasn't into the arts would feel. Neither my daughter or I liked the campus feel--very modern (and to me sterile) architecture, not a typical college atmosphere which to my 18 year old was important--maybe not to you. Definitely go visit.

By Jamimom (Jamimom) on Tuesday, June 08, 2004 - 11:25 am: Edit

There are older student at Purchase. Alot of students commute. I don't think the scene is so typically college rah rah that an older person would feel out of place. S's friend who is 24 goes there--she is an English major, and she has found it so fulfilling working parttiem ther at the Pepsico center--met many interesting people there, definitely the typical college crowd as the theater reaches out th a wide audience in Westchester county and beyond. It is a quiet campus in a largely residental area but White Plains is very near with an active nightlife for young people (not just typical college age)

By Floppydee (Floppydee) on Tuesday, June 08, 2004 - 11:29 am: Edit

Yes Jamimom that sounds more like the Purchase that I heard about. I was also thinking about working at the Pepsico center-seeing I need some source of income! Thankx alot!

By Momx4 (Momx4) on Tuesday, June 08, 2004 - 04:10 pm: Edit

Stony Brook is definitely adult friendly. I live a half mile from the campus and I know many moms who have returned to college there to get a bachelors degree after their own children were in school. I also have several friends who audit courses there and they feel very welcomed by the faculty. When I was a student there in the late 1960's there were many older students and I suspect it is still like that. I believe that more than half the students are commuters. Parking isn't as bad as its made out to be, you just can't get a space close to the academic buildings. There is a large parking lot next to the train station which the University shares with the community. The campus does cover a lot of space and there are many buildings and winding roads so it can be confusing at first, but it is easy to learn your way around. There is also a convenient shuttle bus that circles the campus often. It is a very bicycle-friendly campus. Stony Brook has had bad publicity for as long as I can remember but in fact, it is much better than its reputation. I would not come here for English literature or the classics, but you can get an excellent education in the sciences and music. The campus is also quite pretty, contrary to what people think. Charles Wang from Computer Associates gave a large amount of money to build the Asian American Cultural Center, right in the center of campus. It spiffed up the looks of the place quite a bit.